I’m told there will come a time when all will be revealed, that moment just before you leave where the Universe gives it up to your virgin consciousness and you go, ahhhhh…. And as great as that sounds, you’ll note that your expression of finally acquiring that enlightenment comes in an exhalation, more than likely your last. I know that doesn’t sound fair, but once you discover what all this back-breaking, toil and trouble life was for, let alone about, what else is there but to sound a short A? Unless it’s a long ohhhhhh. I suppose that’s why I intend to hold my breath like a five-year-old who won’t eat his Brussels sprouts on that day when the Universe comes a’knocking with my serving of The Way, as the Buddhists might intone. They call it nirvāṇa, which is Sanskrit for “blowing out.” That’s kind of what I’ve been saying, only with an ahhhhh rather than an ohmmm. Another translation is “liberation,” which sounds so much better, because I’d rather be freed from this troubled coil, than blown out again like a rotten basketball team, or permanently, like a candle. Ohm, shanti, shanti, shanti, y’all. (Just in case.)
For those of us who don’t know Sanskrit, and I only know enough to get through a beginner’s yoga practice video, “Shanti” means “Peace.” So, I bid you all peace because we sure as hell need it. And so do I. So do I.
©2021 Joseph Hesch
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I really enjoyed this, Joe. 🙂 We’re all searching for the answers, and you’re right that none of us will know until we get there, whether it’s through an “ahhh” or an “ohhh” or even an “Ohmmm”. Thanks for sharing with us!
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